In April, one of the most anticipated moments for astronomy lovers and fans arrives: the first full moon of spring and the fourth so far in 2023, which will occur at dawn on Thursday, April 6. However, this phenomenon is better known as the ‘Pink Moon’, as it is the first full moon after the spring equinox, which took place on March 20; or ‘Luna Pascual’, due to its coincidence with Holy Week.
It is no coincidence that this full moon coincides with Easter. In the year 325, it was decided that Easter Sunday would be the day following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Therefore, it can only take place between March 22 and April 25.
For this reason, there is always a full moon at Easter. And this time frame also explains why some April full moons fall earlier and others later.
This first full moon of spring is also known as the ‘Pink Moon’, although it will have little to do with the color that the Earth’s satellite will adopt. In the early morning of April 6, we will see our satellite with its usual whitish color, only much larger and brighter as it is located on the opposite side of the Earth.
This colorful name responds to the tradition of the native tribes of North America, who associated the appearance of this phase of the moon with the flowering of a plant called creeping phlox, moss phlox or mountain phlox (phlox subulata), a species flower native to America, which always blooms a week before Easter.
Its popularity is widespread on this continent, to such an extent that, depending on the area, it receives other nicknames such as ‘Seed Moon’, ‘Peony Moon’, ‘Harvest Moon’ or ‘Flower Moon’.
Beyond nomenclatures, we must not forget that at dawn on April 6 we will see a full moon or full moon, one of the four lunar phases that occurs when our planet is located between the Sun and the Moon, almost aligned.
The ‘Pink Moon’ or ‘Luna Pascual’ can be observed in Spain at dawn on Thursday, April 6. The best time to see it will be at 05:35, the moment of its maximum splendor. It is not necessary to have any telescope or binoculars. It is enough to situate ourselves at a high point, without obstacles and where there is little light pollution.
